Utilizing research in professional practice

Issue title: Workers and the Worksite: Research and Practice

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Koch, Lynn C. | Cook, Bryan G. | Tankersley, Melody | Rumrill, Phillip

Affiliations: Kent State University, Center for Disability Studies, Department of Educational Foundations and Special Services, 405 White Hall, Kent, OH 44242-0001, USA | University of Hawaii, Department of Special Education, Manoa, HI, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 330 672 0577; Fax: +1 330 672 2512; E-mail: lkoch@kent.edu

Abstract: A review of the rehabilitation, disability studies, and allied health literature suggests the presence of numerous factors that impede the utilization of research by practitioners. The purpose of this article is to describe these factors and offer potential solutions that could enable rehabilitation professionals to integrate research findings into their practice. Specifically, the authors recommend strategies to (a) contextualize research throughout pre-service curricula, (b) establish researcher-stakeholder partnerships, (c) increase the accessibility of research to practitioners, and (d) establish professional and peer support for implementing research in field practice.

Keywords: Research utilization, research-to-practice

Journal: Work, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 327-331, 2006